Netherlands Antilles

Abstract

The Netherlands Antilles consist of five islands in the Caribbean archipelago. Curaçao and Bonaire (Dutch Leewards) are located off the coast of Venezuela, while in the northeast are St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten (Dutch Windwards). Although Aruba separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, some elements of its cultural heritage management are addressed in this chapter. After October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist as such and will become known as the Dutch Caribbean. Like Aruba, St. Maarten and Curaçao will become independent, while Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands) will maintain direct ties to the Netherlands. Currently, we are in negotiations regarding the future of heritage on the islands, which is an ongoing process not discussed in this chapter.